James Bannon (Fine Gael)

I wish to highlight the need for the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs to provide an update on the current status of the application made by Mac Eoin Park residents association, Longford, for funding under the programme of grants for locally based community and voluntary organisations. The object of this scheme is to support the activities of local voluntary and community groups through grants for the refurbishment of existing premises used by such groups and that, where disadvantage in the community is being addressed, up to 90% of the cost will be met.

Mac Eoin Park residents association, is open to all residents of Mac Eoin Park and surrounding new developments and local agencies such as the VEC, local partnership, etc. The association has two houses, which were donated for the benefit of the association, and is situated in a very socially disadvantaged area with a high poverty index. The area suffers from extreme anti-social activity and drug and alcohol abuse. Some 70% of the residents of Mac Eoin Park are on some form of welfare, 60% are under 18 years of age and 33% are seriously disadvantaged.

Mac Eoin Park is situated in a RAPID designated area. The association runs a very successful national school after-school service but urgently needs to provide facilities to help adults, teenagers and other members of the community through education programmes in an educational setting to be provided at the centre. With the help of appropriate funding the Mac Eoin Park residents association could fully equip the community centre, enabling both adults and children to use the centre for educational and information purposes.

In its application for funding the residents association seeks to promote the interests of the Mac Eoin Park area and of the people of the locality as they pertain to the social, cultural and general welfare and common good of the community. There are significant and well-recognised social problems within certain local authority estates within Longford town, where a high level of long-term unemployment, generational unemployment, substance abuse, early school leaving, vandalism and crime are persistent and demoralising problems, leading to a breakdown and erosion of community morale.

The Mac Eoin Park residents association is an example of community-based self-help effort at its best. The advantages to an area like this, which suffers every social disadvantage imaginable, cannot be overstated and funding for this community project is an investment in the turnaround that we all hope can be achieved to improve the quality of life for such communities.

With the voluntary effort going into the provision of community services such as that of the Mac Eoin Park residents association, I expect that every effort can be made by the Department of Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs, through Pobal, to provide the necessary funding to assist this worthwhile venture. I commend the hard work of Mr. Peter Clyne, co-ordinator, Ms Isobel Daly, chairperson of the Mac Eoin Park residents association and the committee for their hard work and dedication to the project. The basis of the mixed economy of welfare is dependent on the endeavours of such committed people. I expect a positive response.